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"Noona, how could you do that to Senior Austin? It was almost a disaster. If a duel had taken place…"
"There's no need to call her 'senior.' How could I just stand by and watch that mongrel from Kania bark like that?"
"Noona! What are you saying? If someone hears you…"
As I listened to Estelle's words, I felt like I was going crazy.
Kania was the castle of the imperial family. And calling someone a "mongrel" was a derogatory way of insulting them, especially if they were a loyal supporter of the imperial family like Austin.
Earlier, she blatantly used the term 'mongrel' in front of Patricia, so naturally, that must have provoked her.
"So what if they hear me? What can those fools do to me? The moment they lay a finger on me, the peace they cherish so much will be gone."
"Noona…!"
As I continued to dissuade Estelle, she raised her hand as if she couldn't win.
"Alright, alright. I admit I was a bit excited earlier. It was hard for me to bear seeing that woman torment you like that. And then she brought up our family name. I couldn't help but get angry. How dare that woman with no background…"
"But thanks to you, I'm alive. To be honest, I would have been in a lot of trouble if you hadn't come… I really can't do without you, Noona, haha."
"Of course. It's my little brother's request. How could I not help? But Edwin, I told you before, moderation is key. Did you just ignore my warning? Hmm?"
"Ah…"
Estelle, who had been listening to my grumbling, suddenly glared at me. Then she stepped forward and grabbed my cheeks, squeezing them hard.
"…I was about to stop, but things got complicated… I really can't tell you that… Ouch…"
"And I specifically told you to visit me often. But it's been weeks and I haven't seen a single hair of yours. Where on earth have you been? If you keep this up, I'll have to tie you up and drag you around."
"Oh, come on… Don't joke like that…"
"Do my words sound like a joke to you?"
"...?"
After squeezing my cheeks for a long time, Estelle finally let go, seemingly satisfied.
"Phew… And you also put in a good word for me with father, didn't you…? Thank you. I had completely forgotten about it. Thanks to you, I avoided a big scolding from my father."
"I thought you would forget, so I spoke to Uncle on your behalf. As expected, he had no idea. You really know how to cause trouble…"
"hahahaha…"
Estelle patted me lightly again.
She was talking about the incident with Walter's false accusation last time. At that time, Estelle went to Madehaven on my behalf to report the truth of the matter. My father, surprised by the shocking news, wrote me a long letter.
"But Noona, is everything okay there? Isn't Vandrook quite close to the old cult stronghold?"
"I checked, and it seems like there's no major problem, so don't worry too much. What can a few lowly creatures do to the Silla family? Father told me that the troublemakers have all been caught and crucified."
Estelle's family, the Silla family, was based in Vandrook, a region quite close to the east. And since the east was where the demon worshippers ran rampant during the Great Demon's Descent, it has now been reduced to nothing but ruins.
So I asked just in case, but judging from Estelle's reaction, it seems like they fortunately didn't suffer any major damage.
"That's a relief, then…"
"Those who can't even protect themselves are worrying about our territory? How kind of them." Estelle chuckled. "It's almost endearing."
"Ugh…"
As we exchanged trivial words, time flew by in an instant.
Estelle stroked my head with a regretful expression, "I have to go now. I thought we could talk leisurely for a while… Anyway, about that woman…"
"We'll see each other again next time, won't we?"
"Next time? You'll just make empty promises and forget again. Fine. There's not much time left in the semester, so finish it well. I might drop by your territory during the vacation, so let's see each other then."
Estelle stood up, dusting herself off as if she really had to go. Then she turned to me and spread her arms wide. She kept staring at me with eyes that seemed to be asking for something.
"Oh really… Noona… No matter what, this is a bit…"
"Come on.
I euphemistically refused, but Estelle didn't budge and instead pressured me further.
"How about it? There's nobody around right now. Didn't we used to do this a lot when we were younger? You even said you'd marry me when we grew up."
"Those were childhood words… Why bring them up now…"
"Edwin, I was ready to duel that girl for you, and you won't even give me a hug? I'm truly hurt…"
At that moment, when Estelle looked genuinely upset, it became a battle I couldn't win. Even though our childhood was long gone, her mind was still filled with playful thoughts whenever she looked at me.
"Alright… Fine, I'll do it…"
That's it. Just for a moment of embarrassment. I closed my eyes and approached Estelle. Before adolescence, I used to be much shorter than her, but now her height only reached just below my chest.
As I hesitated in front of her, she leaned into me as if she were about to pounce. From her lavender-scented hair, a fragrance wafted gently.
"So… Isn't it better like this? Seriously, you never listen…"
Like a cicada stuck to a branch, Estelle clung to me for a while before finally letting go.
* * * * *
"I don't want to…I told you before…"
"Ellie… Can't you just grant my request this once…?"
Ellie, who usually had a cheerful smile, was nowhere to be found today. She wasn't even half-jokingly blowing up her cheeks like she usually did. Her mouth was pouting, and I was inwardly facepalming at the sight.
"…I don't want to… why… why do I have to do that…"
"Ellie…"
Ellie's voice was now half-choked with tears.
"Oh, come on…"
I had to admit it. I had been too hasty. I should have explained the reason slowly instead of blurting it out. Ellie had every right to hear those reasons.
"Ellie, you saw that guy's gaze earlier, right? That look full of hostility."
"That blonde guy…? Is he that Eugene you were talking about…?"
As I spoke slowly, Ellie's stubbornness began to waver a little.
"That's right. That blonde guy is the one I was talking about before. He's a guy who's full of justice, so if I keep dragging you around, he'll keep following us… Besides, he doesn't really like me…"
"Even the professors don't say anything, so why does he care about that…"
"…I don't know about the professors, but he will never just sit back and watch. I'm sure of it. And technically, it's not entirely wrong to think like that…"
"So because of him, you're going to abandon me…"
"Not abandon, just spend some time apart for a while, okay? If he moves to another class later, we can hang out together again. We'll still see each other outside anyway."
Ellie was lost in thought in silence as I continued to make earnest requests. She understands too. I've occasionally talked to her about Eugene and me.
Although she complained for a while, Ellie was basically a bright child. Once her emotions settle, she'll be able to make a proper judgment.
After a long silence, Ellie finally opened her mouth, "Okay…I'll just have to wait a little longer…"
"Ellie…"
Upon hearing Ellie's answer, a sigh of relief escaped me involuntarily.
"I'm really angry… It doesn't matter anymore…"
Though Ellie's expression still seemed full of discontent, that should dissipate with time. What matters is that she eventually complied with my request.
"By the way, Ellie, were you okay with your conversation with Austin earlier? Can I ask what you talked about?"
When Ellie heard my question, her pretty face suddenly frowned.
"…We didn't say much… She kept bothering me, so I almost told her I'm just following you around because I like you. If it weren't for Austin…"
As if Ellie was tired, she rested her head on my shoulder.
"I'm hungry… Haven't eaten anything, what's going on…"
"…Let's grab something to eat after this."
"…Okay…"
* * * * *
As I entered the classroom with Ellie, the noisy room instantly fell silent. All eyes were on us. But when Ellie sat not next to me but at the very front of the classroom, most of those gazes turned to bewilderment.
I sneaked a glance at Eugene's direction, and he too had a dazed expression, as if he didn't expect this at all.
Just as the students, who had fallen silent, were about to open their mouths again, the door opened and the professor entered, causing their mouths to shut tight again.
"What's going on? Class starts in two minutes. Everyone, take your seats."
At Professor Claretta's words, the students returned to their seats and sat down.
She was a visiting professor invited to the academy for a specific liberal arts subject, and had a mature beauty that exuded a woman's charm, with a beauty mark under her right eye.
Professor Claretta's subject and her appearance created a strange allure, and she always remained at the top of the ranking of professors preferred by male students.
"Everyone, turn to page 207 of your textbook and pay attention to the board. This is the topic of today's lecture."
As Claretta gestured, chalk began to dance on the board, and shortly after, the words "Proper Conduct and Etiquette in Interactions between the Sexes" appeared. As the words completed, small sighs of relief and gasps of surprise echoed throughout the classroom.
Some students whistled, while whispers of "What should I do…" or "I have no idea…" could be heard here and there.
Even the noble ladies, always striving to maintain their dignity, blushed as they eagerly awaited the professor's words.
Neither Ellie nor Eugene shifted their gazes and remained entirely still.
What had just happened between me and Ellie was instantly erased from everyone's minds.
If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02